Virginia Law

A. Section 101.1 Short title. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Part I, Construction, may be cited as the Virginia Construction Code or as the VCC. The term "USBC" shall mean the VCC unless the context in which the term is used clearly indicates it to be an abbreviation for the entire Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code or for a different part of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Note: This code is also known as the 2021 edition of the USBC due to the use of the 2021 editions of the model codes.

B. Section 101.2 Incorporation by reference. Chapters 2 - 35 of the 2021 International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., are adopted and incorporated by reference to be an enforceable part of the USBC. The term "IBC" means the 2021 International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc. Any codes and standards referenced in the IBC are also considered to be part of the incorporation by reference, except that such codes and standards are used only to the prescribed extent of each such reference. In addition, any provisions of the appendices of the IBC specifically identified to be part of the USBC are also considered to be part of the incorporation by reference.

Note 1: The IBC references other International Codes and standards, including the following major codes:

2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC)

2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC)

2020 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70

2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

2021 International Residential Code (IRC)

Note 2: The IRC is applicable to the construction of detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses as set out in Section 310.

C. Section 101.3 Numbering system. A dual numbering system is used in the USBC to correlate the numbering system of the Virginia Administrative Code with the numbering system of the IBC. IBC numbering system designations are provided in the catchlines of the Virginia Administrative Code sections. Cross references between sections or chapters of the USBC use only the IBC numbering system designations. The term "chapter" is used in the context of the numbering system of the IBC and may mean a chapter in the USBC, a chapter in the IBC, or a chapter in a referenced code or standard, depending on the context of the use of the term. The term "chapter" is not used to designate a chapter of the Virginia Administrative Code, unless clearly indicated.

D. Section 101.4 Arrangement of code provisions. The USBC is comprised of the combination of (i) the provisions of Chapter 1, Administration, which are established in this section; (ii) Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC, which are incorporated by reference in Section 101.2; and (iii) the changes to the text of the incorporated chapters of the IBC that are specifically identified. The terminology "changes to the text of the incorporated chapters of the IBC that are specifically identified" shall also be referred to as the "state amendments to the IBC." Such state amendments to the IBC are set out using corresponding chapter and section numbers of the IBC numbering system. In addition, since Chapter 1 of the IBC is not incorporated as part of the USBC, any reference to a provision of Chapter 1 of the IBC in the provisions of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC is generally invalid. However, where the purpose of such a reference would clearly correspond to a provision of Chapter 1 established in this section, then the reference may be construed to be a valid reference to such corresponding Chapter 1 provision.

E. Section 101.5 Use of terminology and notes. The provisions of this code shall be used as follows:

1. The term "this code," or "the code," where used in the provisions of Chapter 1, in Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC or in the state amendments to the IBC means the USBC, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2. The term "this code," or "the code," where used in a code or standard referenced in the IBC means that code or standard, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

3. The use of notes in Chapter 1 is to provide information only and shall not be construed as changing the meaning of any code provision.

4. Notes in the IBC, in the codes and standards referenced in the IBC and in the state amendments to the IBC may modify the content of a related provision and shall be considered to be a valid part of the provision, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

5. References to International Codes and standards, where used in this code, include state amendments made to those International Codes and standards in the VCC.

F. Section 101.6 Order of precedence. The provisions of this code shall be used as follows:

1. The provisions of Chapter 1 of this code supersede any provisions of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

2. The provisions of Chapter 1 of this code supersede any provisions of the codes and standards referenced in the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

3. The state amendments to the IBC supersede any provisions of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

4. The state amendments to the IBC supersede any provisions of the codes and standards referenced in the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

5. The provisions of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC supersede any provisions of the codes and standards referenced in the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

6. The provisions of the National Electrical Code (NEC), Virginia Maintenance Code (VMC), Virginia Plumbing Code (VPC), and Virginia Fuel Gas Code (VFGC) supersede any provisions of the Virginia Energy Conservation Code (VECC) that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

7. The provisions of Chapters 2 through 10 and 12 through 44 of the VRC supersede any provisions of Chapter 11 of the VRC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements.

G. Section 101.7 Administrative provisions. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish administrative requirements, which include provisions relating to the scope of the code, enforcement, fees, permits, inspections and disputes. Any provisions of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC or any provisions of the codes and standards referenced in the IBC that address the same subject matter and impose differing requirements are deleted and replaced by the provisions of Chapter 1. Further, any administrative requirements contained in the state amendments to the IBC shall be given the same precedence as the provisions of Chapter 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, where administrative requirements of Chapters 2 through 35 of the IBC or of the codes and standards referenced in the IBC are specifically identified as valid administrative requirements in Chapter 1 of this code or in the state amendments to the IBC, then such requirements are not deleted and replaced.

Note: The purpose of this provision is to eliminate overlap, conflicts, and duplication by providing a single standard for administrative, procedural, and enforcement requirements of this code.

H. Section 101.8 Definitions. The definitions of terms used in this code are contained in Chapter 2 along with specific provisions addressing the use of definitions. Terms may be defined in other chapters or provisions of the code and such definitions are also valid.

Note: The order of precedence outlined in Section 101.6 may be determinative in establishing how to apply the definitions in the IBC and in the referenced codes and standards.